1. society
2. work
3. unions

STEEL VOICE
UNITED STEELWORKERS LOCAL 1999
Volume 8 Issue 1.
Indianapolis, IN
January 23, 2015
Put Working People First
Leo Gerard
The jobs report set off cheering: a
quarter million positions added in
December; unemployment declining
to 5.6 percent. This good news arrived
amid a booming stock market and a
third-quarter GDP report showing the
strongest growth in 11 years.
It’s all so very jolly, except for one
looming factor: wages. They’re not
rising. In fact, they fell in December
by 5 cents an hour, nearly erasing the
6-cent increase in November.
Hard-working Americans need a
raise. Their wages are stuck, rising
only 10.2 percent over the past 35
years. Workers are producing more.
Corporations are highly profitable.
CEOs, claiming all the credit for
that as if they did all of the work
themselves, made sure their pay rose
937 percent over those 35 years. held in Washington, D.C., last week,
That’s right: 937 percent!
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka
said, “We are tired of people talking
It doesn’t add up for workers who about inequality as if nothing can be
struggle more every year. Something’s done. The answer is simple: raise the
gotta change. The AFL-CIO is working wages of the 90 percent of Americans
on that. It launched a campaign last whose wages are lower today than
week to wrench worker wages out of they were in 1997.”
the muck and push them up.
At a summit called Raising Wages
cSee FIRST Page 18
Page 2
My View
Kelly Ray Hugunin,
Local Union Representative
STEEL VOICE
location, such as job bidding, local
health and safety issues, short-term
and long-term disability, hours of
work, grievance and arbitration
procedures, vacancy filling and
funeral leave.
The contract with BP expires January
31.
Brothers and Sisters:
I hope that everyone had a joyous
Christmas and had a great start to
the new year.
Air System Components (ASC) will
be in bargaining with their contract
expiring April 10. ASC was bought
by Johnson Controls Inc. (JCI) last
summer. We don't yet know how JCI
will approach bargaining. Contract
surveys were distributed to the
membership last week. We will meet
with the bargaining committee in
February to begin drafting proposals
and strategy.
We met with Cenveo's bargaining
We have several contract negotiations committee in December to begin
in the Local this year. Jim Adcock and identifying issues. The collective
myself began working with some of bargaining agreement with Cenveo
the bargaining committees late last expires on April 7.
year.
Our local is a member of the
BP is the smallest unit in our local. Steelworkers Cenveo Council. The
They are part of a Master Agreement council consists locals of steelworker
with BP as well as the Steelworkers represented Cenveo plants across
National Oil Bargaining Program.
the country. The council meets and
communicates regularly on issues
The oil units and locals approved the affecting the plants. Currently no
Steelworkers National Oil Bargaining master agreement exists for Cenveo.
Policy last week. The policy covers
items like wages, benefits, contracting Bargaining is expected to be difficult.
out and safety.
The last round of bargaining 2 years
ago resulted in a pay freeze and a
Bargaining takes place on two levels frozen pension.
simultaneously: national and local.
At the national level, general items At Indiana Box we have seen the
affecting all locals are discussed, business doing well. The plant has
such as wages, benefits and working seen an expansion and additional
conditions (health and safety, employees hired since the current
contracting out, etc.).
agreement was bargained. The
contract at Indiana Box expires June
Local union negotiations bargain 30.
over issues affecting their particular
Vol. 8, Issue 1
The Rexnord Bearing Plant is up for
contract renewal on October 4. This
is another facility where bargaining
was contentious two years ago. At
that time the company demanded a
second tier wage for new employees
and a wage freeze for current
employees. And they threatened to
relocate the plant to another state if
they didn't get what they wanted.
We have already started working with
the bargaining committee. Surveys
have been circulated through the
plant and collected by the committee.
The committee has been reviewing
the results of the surveys. We have
also been developing a strategy for
the next round of bargaining. BTW
In all of these upcoming negotiations
we will need the support of the
membership. If you are asked to
participate in an action please
participate. It may be as simple as
wearing a certain color of shirt on a
particular day or wearing a button.
We need everyone to participate
to show strength and solidarity to
the company. If we are divided the
company will exploit it.
The local will be prepared if there is
a strike or a lock out at any of these
units. We will make sure everything is
in place from ensuring the manning
of the picket line to membership
assistance. If necessary we will set
up a food bank at the union hall.
The District and Sub District will
also be involved to help meet the
memberships needs.
Hopefully we will be successful in
bargaining without a work stoppage
occurring at any of these facilities.
However we will be prepared to
take these company's on in a fight if
necessary.

January 23, 2015
STEEL VOICE
Page 3
Next Generation Sub District 3 Report
We are currently setting up a Next Gen coordinators meeting for February 23rd, 2015 at Local 1999. All Next Gen
coordinators from each plant in Local 1999 are encouraged to participate. We are trying to turn this event into a
Sub District event and invite all Next Gen coordinators from all Locals in Sub District 3 to come to this event. I believe
this will allow the Next Generation to move to the next stage by creating a network between the plants in Sub District
3. We recently had a Sub District 3 Presidents meeting where I was able to communicate with all the Presidents the
importance of starting the Next Generation program. This should also help jump start the Next Generation program
as well. Local 1999 is making huge progress. We have scheduled a Next Generation Poker tournament on January
31st. We will be kicking off a raffle in February with a chance to win one of these prizes (60in Flat screen TV, I PAD
Air Tablet, or a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Tablet) all sponsored by Next Gen. The drawing will be in April at the Local
Union Meeting. Local 1999’s goal is to raise money to have events for the membership. We are currently looking at
setting an event up with the Woman of Steel in Local 1999. More information will be available as it progresses. We
are also looking at setting up a silent auction, car bash, Community outreach event and sports Committee. I Hope to
see Next Generation have huge success this year.
In Solidarity,
Jason Campbell, Sub District 3 Next Gen Coordinator
Next Generation Local 1999 Report
Happy New Year Brothers and Sisters, Next Gen is embarking on a fresh start this year. We want our Union family to
get ready for a year of new ideas, community outreach and some anticipation in growth and development within our
Local. So come celebrate with us as we flourish in 2015.
In Solidarity,
Walter Jones, Local 1999 Next Gen Coordinator
Page 4
STEEL VOICE
Vol. 8, Issue 1
John Boehner Screws Over The American
People By Blocking A $2,000 Middle Class
Tax Cut
Chuck Jones, President
House Democrats introduced a new
proposal that would give middle
class families a $2,000 tax cut
that was immediately shot down by
Speaker Of The House John Boehner,
because Republicans have no
interest in helping the middle class.
John Boehner has killed legislation
that he opposes by not allowing
it to come to the floor for a vote.
The Washington Post described the
Democratic plan as a step towards
addressing
income
inequality:
“The centerpiece of the proposal, set
to be unveiled Monday by Rep. Chris
Van Hollen (D-Md.), is a “paycheck
bonus credit” that would shave
$2,000 a year off the tax bills of
couples earning less than $200,000.
Other provisions would nearly triple
the tax credit for childcare and reward
people who save at least $500 a year.
The windfall — about $1.2 trillion
over a decade — would come
directly from the pockets of Wall
Street “high rollers” through a
new fee on financial transactions,
and from the top 1 percent of
earners, who would lose billions
of dollars in lucrative tax breaks.”
Speaker Boehner is not going to
allow the Democratic proposal to
be brought to the House floor for a
vote. Throughout his time as Speaker,
Boehner’s position that tax cuts
add to the deficit apparently only
applies to tax cuts for the middle
class because it was only last month
that Speaker Boehner supported a
$440 billion tax cut for corporations.
John Boehner is fond of referring to
the House as the People’s House,
but it clear that the people the
Speaker is referring to aren’t working
folks or middle class Americans.
By the People’s House, Speaker
Boehner means the Koch brothers,
corporations, or other special
interests. If Republicans were serious
about governing, they would seize
the opportunity to pass a middleclass tax cut that Democrats would
support and the president would
sign. Instead, Republicans are using
their power in Congress to harm the
middle class while claiming to be
carrying out the will of the people.
A middle-class tax cut would put
money back into the pockets of
those who need it most while
providing a boost to the economy.
Boehner’s rejection of the Democratic
proposal is another reminder that the
Republican Party doesn’t care about
ordinary hard working Americans.
Jason Easley for PoliticusUSA
wrote this article. After I read
the article I felt that all of our
members should be made aware
of Speaker John Boehner’s action,
because it affects us all.

January 23, 2015
STEEL VOICE
Page 5
USW Local 1999
Next Generation Raffle
Grand Prize: 60” Vizio LED Smart HDTV
2nd Prize: IPad Air 16GB
3rd Prize: Samsung Galaxy Tab 4.
$5/Ticket or $20/5 Tickets
Maximum of 3000 tickets to be sold.
See your unit Next Generation Representative for tickets.
Drawing: April 19, 2015 @ Local Union Meeting 10am
218 S. Addison St. Indianapolis.
Raffle is open only to dues paying members and retirees* of Local 1999.
Need not be present to win.
All proceeds go to USW Local 1999 Next Generation Fund.
*Retirees must have been in good standing at time of retirement.
Page 6
STEEL VOICE
Vol. 8, Issue 1
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2
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On December 12, 2014 the United Steelworkers Local
1999 & Rexnord Corporation held the 52nd Annual Gift
Lift for the children at Larue D. Carter Memorial Hospital
in Indianapolis. The annual event was started in December
1962 by USWA Local 1150 at the Link Belt Bearing and
Chain plants. The employees and the company donate
money to buy gifts for the children at the hospital. Members
from Local 1999 and members of Rexnord management
volunteer their time to come over to the Union Hall and
wrap the gifts for the children. The gifts are then delivered
to the hospital for the children to open on Christmas. Larue
D. Carter Memorial Hospital is a psychiatric hospital in
Indianapolis.
Larue D. Carter Memorial Hospital has served patients with
persistent and severe mental illness from all across Indiana
since 1948. The hospital is composed of two divisions: One
provides care only to adults with mental illness, and the
other division provides care for children and adolescents
who are seriously emotionally disturbed. The hospital’s 42bed Youth Service is devoted to serving patients ages 7 to
18 who suffer from severe emotional disorders.

January 23, 2015
STEEL VOICE
Give Charles the gift of life
Page 7
Charles Arthur has been a Steelworker working at RSR/Quemetco for 36 years. Charles has helped
his Union Brothers in time of need and now he needs help to keep enjoying life as he is getting closer
to retirement. Charles is 58 years old and has been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary
fibrosis is a respiratory disease in which scars are formed on the lung tissue which causes serious
breathing problems. Currently there is no medical cure for pulmonary fibrosis and the only treatment
is receiving a lung transplant.
Charles needs help, in order to get onto the transplant list. He will need to have two years of insurance
covered until Medicare takes care of the medical cost. One year of
insurance is covered, however it will still require around $20,000
to take care of the insurance cost to get onto the transplant list.
Charles has been a good father and husband to his family and
worked hard all his life to provide for his loved ones, surely we can
come together and work to provide him peace of mind in this very
troubling time in his life.
To help with the financial burden of Charles’ uninsured expenses,
a fund raising campaign in his honor has been established with
HelpHOPELive, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been
providing community-based fund raising guidance to patients
and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are taxdeductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Great Lakes Lung
Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for
transplant-related expenses only. Please consider a contribution.
Charles and his family are more than grateful for any support you
can give.
To donate go to www.helphopelive.com and enter campaign #5350
If you would like to mail a check:
Payable to: HelpHOPELive
Memo line: In Honor of Charles Arthur
Mail to:
HelpHOPELive
Two Radnor Corporate Center
100 Matsonford Road
Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087
Page 8
STEEL VOICE
The Truth About "Right-to-Work"
Representatives
designated
or
selected for the purposes of collective
bargaining by the majority of the
employees in a unit appropriate for
such purposes, shall be the exclusive
representatives of all the employees in
such unit for the purposes of collective
bargaining in respect to rates of
pay, wages, hours of employment,
or other conditions of employment.
National Labor Relations Act (Sec.9)
Under American labor law, unlike
many other countries, when a
majority of workers in a determined
bargaining unit, vote to be represented
by a union, that union becomes the
exclusive representative of all workers
in that unit. The purpose is to provide
employees with a single, unified
voice in determining their conditions
of employment and the opportunity
for employers to deal with one entity,
instead of many competing ones, to
establish the rights and responsibilities
of both the employer and employees.
Federal law that governs private
sector workers, as well as many state
public employee laws, guarantees
every worker who is represented by
a union equal and nondiscriminatory
representation – meaning unions
must provide the same services,
vigorous advocacy, and contractual
rights and benefits. The guarantee
applies regardless of whether the
employee is a union member or not.
All non-dues-paying employees are
provided full union representation at
no charge.
If you are not a member of the
union, you are fully covered by the
collective bargaining agreement that
was negotiated between the union
and your employer including wages,
Vol. 8, Issue 1
pensions, vacations, health insurance, available all government services.
seniority, and working hours.
The real reason for the recent wave of
The statutory right of exclusive “right-to-work” legislation, and other
representation mandates a “duty union weakening laws, has nothing
of fair representation” on the part to do with economic competitiveness
of the union. It has the obligation to but the weakening of the labor
represent all employees fairly, in good movement and its political influence.
faith, and without discrimination. The The only institution that stands in the
right to speak for all employees in way of the right wing's domination of
the bargaining unit carries with it the our nation's political and economic
corresponding duty to protect them system is the American labor
movement.
as well.
In her dissent in Sweeney v. Pierce,
Judge Diane Wood contended that
the state of Indiana had been "given
a green light" to take private property
- the services of the union without just
compensation.
This agenda was unmasked when
Wisconsin State Senate Majority
Leader Scott Fitzgerald explained
that “this battle” is about eliminating
unions so that “the money is not
there” for the labor movement.
Last year, the Michigan director of
Americans for Prosperity, chaired
nationally by David Koch, said,
"We fight these battles on taxes and
regulations but really what we would
like to see is to take the unions out
“Right-to-Work” laws make it illegal at the knees so they don't have the
for employers and unions to mutually resources to fight these battles."
agree to require nonunion employees
to pay fees to cover the benefits they In virtually every case, the state
legally receive under the collective legislation is taken straight out of the
Koch-funded American Legislative
bargaining agreement.
Exchange Council (ALEC) playbook.
Fees have nothing to do with “forced
It was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who
unionism.”
said, “In our glorious fight for civil
Organizations such as the Chamber rights, we must guard against being
of Commerce, billionaire-funded fooled by false slogans, such as
conservative foundations and their ‘right-to-work.’ It is a law to rob us
Republican allies, want unions to be of our civil rights and job rights. Its
the only organizations in America purpose is to destroy labor unions and
that are required to provide benefits working conditions for everyone… we
and services to individuals who pay demand this fraud be stopped.” 
nothing for them. This is the same as
enabling some American citizens to
opt out of paying taxes while making
Federal and state laws also guarantee
that no one can be forced to be a
member of a union, or to pay any
amount of dues or fees to a political
or social cause they do not support.
January 23, 2015
STEEL VOICE
7 Reasons Fast Track Is Off Track
During the secret discussion of the
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade
deal, extreme corporate interests are
pushing for a Fast Track process that
would not only hurt working families
in the United States, but in the other
countries involved in any final deal.
Here are seven reasons why Fast
Track is off track:
businesses and the environment.
Page 9
6. It's undemocratic: Fast Track limits
debate and prohibits amendments
and doesn't give the public the
opportunity to influence the process.
3. It's a job killer: Past trade deals
have cost American jobs in large
numbers. For example, the North
American Free Trade Agreement led 7. It gives corporations more power:
to the loss of more than 682,000 By including "investor-to-state dispute
settlement"
provisions,
foreign
jobs.
investors in the United States and
4. It makes it harder for workers to U.S. investors operating in foreign
1. People oppose it: More than 60% get a raise: Previous Fast Tracked countries can skip traditional methods
of voters oppose Fast Track for the deals have depressed wages and of complaining about laws they don't
weakened the rights of workers to like and sue nations directly in private
TPP free trade deal.
arbitration tribunals made up of fororganize and collectively bargain.
profit arbitrators. This would give
2. It doesn't reflect modern values:
Fast Track is a copy of the approach 5. It increases inequality: Previous corporations and foreign interests an
to trade taken by President Richard trade deals have greatly exacerbated influence over our economy that the

Nixon, pursuing the passage of trade CEO-to-worker pay disparities, so rest of us don't have.
deals regardless of the effects a deal that the current ratio is 354-to-1.
might have on wages, jobs, small
Page 10
STEEL VOICE
Vol. 8, Issue 1
The Sam Masarachia Scholarship
The Masarachia Scholars Program is an undergraduate program in the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI. Masarachia
Scholars pursue an innovative course of study focused on labor, senior citizen, and community activism. The scholarship
pays full in-state tuition and fees, renewable for up to four years -- an award that can add up to more than $20,000.
The Masarachia Vision
Sam Masarachia understood that if working people are to have a voice in our society they need to stay informed,
organize themselves, and participate actively in the democratic process. The goal of the Masarachia Scholars Program
is to give tomorrow's community leaders the skills they will need to build viable democratic institutions and contribute
to social and economic justice.
The Course of Study
The Sam Masarachia Scholars Program prepares students for active roles in society by putting the knowledge acquired
in the classroom to work for grassroots organizations fighting for social justice.
In addition to small seminars on working class history, contemporary social issues, and the theory and practice of
organizing, scholars complete two internships with local organizations, including labor unions and senior citizen or
community groups.
About Sam
The second of eight children from an immigrant coal mining family in Clinton, Indiana, Sam Masarachia quit high
school to help provide for the family after they moved to Indianapolis, hiring in at a saw manufacturing plant. In 1937,
he and his coworkers organized a union that negotiated a pay raise, paid holidays, vacations, insurance coverage,
and a grievance procedure for employees. The victory convinced Sam of the power of organizing, and he went to
work for the Steelworkers Union.
Sam served his country in World War Two, earning four bronze stars in combat in Europe.
When he retired from the Steelworkers in 1968, Sam didn't stop organizing people to fight for social justice. He
organized neighbors in Fountain
Square and helped to found a senior
citizen center that today bears his
name. Sam was also a founding
member of United Senior Action,
Indiana's premier senior advocacy
organization, and one of the groups
that scholars have an opportunity to
intern with.
The Masarachia Scholars are a living
tribute to Sam's dedication to labor,
senior, and community organizing.
January 23, 2015
STEEL VOICE
Page 11
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Applicants who will join the program as first-year students should:
Have SAT scores of at least 1000 or an ACT of 21
Be admitted to IUPUI by February 1
Intend to enroll on a full-time basis
Continuing student applicants should:
Have at least two full years remaining prior to graduation
Have a GPA of at least 3.0
Be admitted to IUPUI by February 1
Intend to enroll on a full-time basis
Scholars are selected by the program's board of directors based on a combination of academic qualifications and
evidence of commitment to and familiarity with one or more of the program's areas (labor issues and unionism, senior
citizens, and community organization). The required essay is the most important part of the application. After the
board reviews written applications, finalists will be interviewed.
How to Apply
Entering freshmen:
Obtain an IUPUI admissions application form a FAFSA, and an IUPUI Freshman Scholarship Application.
Apply and be accepted for admission to IUPUI (remember to allow 3 - 6 weeks for processing)
Submit the FAFSA in February to ensure early processing by March 1st.
Submit the "IUPUI Freshman Scholarship Application"
Check the Sam Masarachia Scholarship box and include a completed essay on the following questions
"How do you view the conditions and interests of workers, seniors, and/or communities in today's society?
How do you see yourself making a difference in the representation of these groups?"
Have your high school send a transcript and have your SAT or ACT scores forwarded to the Scholarship Office with
other application materials by the deadline.
Continuing students:
Submit a FAFSA, as above, and an IUPUI Continuing Student Scholarship Application. Check the Sam Masarachia
Scholarship box and include a completed essay on the questions above.
Submit a copy of your Onestart transcript and transcripts of any other universities you have attended.
Submission deadline for all applicants: February 1
For more information and application forms contact:
IUPUI Office of Student Scholarships Phone - 317-274-3976 or email - [email protected]
Or visit: http://liberalarts.iupui.edu/masarachia
Page 12
Unit 00
Rexnord
Hello Union Brothers and Sisters,
STEEL VOICE
Unit 07
UTC Carrier
Hello Brother’s and Sister’s,
Vol. 8, Issue 1
Unit 32
Cenveo
Hello Brother’s and Sister’s,
I’d like to take this time to welcome all
new hires. If you have any questions
on anything whether it is Contract,
Rules of Conduct or Insurance, please
let me or one of the stewards know.
I would like to take this time to again
welcome all the new hires. If you have
any questions whether it is Contract,
Rules of Conduct, Points, Attendance
Policy please see your President,
Committee Person or your Steward
Thanks to all who participated in please.
the Gift Lift. We gave 43 children
Christmas that they would not have I would also like to congratulate all
had without us. We also collected of our retirees for the year of 2014.
$2,909 for next year. Great Job!
May you all have a prosperous one.
Our plant is still running strong,
work has begun to slow down but
we are still remaining busy. Our
plant still needs 10 adjusters and
2 operators. Cenveo is looking for
adjusters who have some type of
machine background experience. If
you are interested or know someone
who is, then either apply in person at
6302 Churchman Bypass Indpls, IN
46203.
For the food drive we collected 2,438 As a reminder; Brothers and Sisters
pounds of food, again Great Job!
you know we have a point system. So
please if you can check points twice
We collected the contract surveys a month (on Monday's) to see if your
and the Negotiating team is going updates and your recoup dates are
over them to find the hot issues.
correct. Don't hesitate to get your
Union Representation to assist you.
Don Zering (Zero) we are hoping
Don will be back in February get well In Solidarity,
soon Don from all of us.
Vickie Burrus
Treasurer / Grievance Committee
As Don always say’s our door is
always open if you have a question.
There are no dumb questions. Please
ask, it is better safe than sorry.
Our contract is due to expire April
8th, 2015. There are surveys going
around the plant and I would like to
remind everybody the surveys are due
by January 23rd. I believe this will be
the toughest negotiations the plant
has ever faced. We will be sending
our letter to the Company soon to
request to bargain as required by law
60 days prior.
Unit 09
RSR Quemetco
Solidarity! That is what we need. We
all have to be one. United We Stand
Divided We Fall
We need to stand UNITED ALL FOR
ONE .
In Solidarity,
Doug White
Acting Unit President
Hello Brothers and Sisters,
Welcome to the New Year my fellow
USW members as we gear up to get
through these winter months. Let's
remember to stay safe and be aware
of winter hazards. Remember when
we have issues with each other let's
try and work it out with each other.
Let's continue to be our Brother’s
keeper.
In Solidarity,
Derrick Morris
Unit President
Our last two arbitration cases did not
go as expected but we must move
on and not be discouraged. We are
currently waiting on 2 more arbitration
decisions for 3 grievances. One
arbitration decision has 2 grievances
combine together.
Currently in the grievance procedure
we are battling the company over
not matching 401k contributions to
anyone hired after the ratification of
our current contract. Nothing in our
contract says anything to the extent
that new hires would not receive a
401k contribution whether it be the
2% yearly or the weekly match.
cSee CENVEO Page 13
STEEL VOICE
January 23, 2015
Page 13
STEELWORKERS ORGANIZATION
OF ACTIVE RETIREES
District 7 Chapter 30-10
SOAR & Golden Age Club
September Meeting Guest Speaker: Brian Ward - Insurance Broker
We meet every 3rd Monday of the month
Time 11:45AM
AT
UNITED STEELWORKERS
Local 1999 Union Hall
218 S. Addison St. Indianapolis, IN
bCENVEO From Page 12
I would also like to remind everybody
that there was a clerical error with
our insurance cards. High mark
claims that they did not receive the
enrollment information from Cenveo
in time. This why we received more
than one set of insurance cards. If
you enrolled in the high option, your
group number should be 16994-48
on your card, the medium would be
17381-28, and the low would be
17381-30. If you have a card that is
different, please destroy the card. It
will not work.
Good luck to all in the new year.
In Solidarity,
Jason Campbell
Unit President
Financial Corner
As everyone knows we have been working on your W-2's for 2014.
Once again we were able to get them completed early. Anyone
who had any lost time paid by the local in 2014 will be receiving
a W-2. They were being mailed out this week. If you don't receive
one and you should have please contact the Union Hall @ 6391479.
We were able to accomplish our goal of getting them out early
with the help of brothers and sisters updating their addresses. It is
very important that anyone who has an address change updates
their address with the company that they work for. This is how we
receive new addresses unless you call the hall and let us know.
In Solidarity,
Allen Johnson, Local 1999 Financial Secretary
Vickie Burrus, Local 1999 Treasurer
STEEL VOICE
Page 14
Vol. 8, Issue 1
Women of Steel Local 1999 Report
Thank You So Much for all the donations we received from you last year.
We collected Socks for Shelters at the union hall. We donated these items to Horizon House. Horizon House is the
only full-service day center in Central Indiana, serving an average 3,000 homeless every year! Each day Horizon
House sees up to 200 homeless in Indianapolis -- affirming each person as a valuable community member, offering
hospitality, restored dignity and a hopeful future.
We will continue to collect items for the Wailing Womens Shelter. The shelter targets women of various ages and ethnic
and socioeconomic backgrounds transitioning from incarceration and homelessness. Dedicated to the successful
restoration and reintegration of offenders and women transitioning from a troubling past by promoting access to
resources and tools necessary to commit fulfilling and law abiding lives.
Items needed for this year's projects:
Warm Items: Socks, Gloves, Hats. Women's Products: (feel good items) Lip Stick, Nail Polish, Hair
Ties, Perfume, Make-up, Etc....
Thanks again, Be Kind, Be Safe
Julie Heaton, Local 1999 Women of Steel Coordinator
Socks For Shelters items collected for Horizon House & Wailing Womens Shelter
January 23, 2015
STEEL VOICE
8 Things You Need to Know
About Trade Deals This Year
A lot of the buzz about the new
Republican-controlled Senate is about
international trade deals, particularly
the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
and so-called Fast Track authority.
As we previously discussed (Page
9), the problems with Fast Track and
TPP are plentiful. They aren't good for
working families. They cost jobs and
increase inequality. Here are eight
things you need to know about TPP,
Fast Track and other potential trade
deals this year:
1. Trade deals are confusing enough,
but they're made worse by the
alphabet soup of acronyms needed to
figure out what's going on. TPP stands
for “Trans-Pacific Partnership,” and is
a trade and economic policy deal
being negotiated in secret between the
United States and 11 other countries,
including labor and human rights
violators such as Vietnam, Brunei and
Mexico. Allowing human and labor
rights violators into the agreement
gives them a free pass (why work any
harder to raise standards when they
have the access to the U.S. markets
they want?) and accelerates the race
to the bottom in wages that is already
hurting U.S. workers like you and
me. The deal also could increase
corporate control over our economy
and weaken our ability to respond
to a recession. The TPP could still be
Page 15
fixed, but none of the negotiators
seem interested in challenging its
corporate power agenda—and how
can working people have a real
influence when the actual text of the
deal is secret?
2. TTIP, which stands for “Trans-Atlantic
Trade and Investment Partnership,”
a trade and economic policy deal
being negotiated in secret between
the United States and the 28 countries
of the European Union. Unlike the
TPP, the TTIP’s main goal isn’t to send
more U.S. jobs overseas and turn
them into sweatshop jobs (though
some of that could happen). What
the TTIP is really about is eliminating
“regulatory barriers” to trade. The
problem is, one person’s regulatory
barrier is another person’s essential
standard (whether that means lead
in lipstick, or reporting requirements
for big banks, or the right of local
governments to protect their drinking
water supply). So the TTIP still poses
risks if it’s not negotiated correctly.
3. TISA, which stands for “Trade
in Services Agreement,” a trade
and economic policy deal being
negotiated in secret between the
United States and 49 other countries.
The biggest risk of the TISA is that it
hands over essential public services
to the private sector—who will
squeeze out every last dime of profit
from the taxpayers while degrading
services and turning decent jobs
into minimum wage, no benefit,
dead-end jobs.
4. The deals are being negotiated
in secret with important people
cSee TRADE Page 19
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Vol. 8, Issue 1
Five Causes of Wage Stagnation in the United States
Kenneth Quinnell
A series of recent reports from the third, and most importantly, wage
Economic Policy Institute (EPI) make stagnation is a matter of choice, not
clear the case for why wages have necessity.
stagnated in the United States.
Here are five real reasons why
Before digging into the details, it's wages have stagnated in the
important to note a few things. First United States.
off, wage stagnation is not a small
problem, it's something that affects 1. The abandonment of full
90% of all workers. As one of the employment: For a variety of
authors of these reports, Lawrence reasons, policy makers largely have
Mishel, says: "Since the late 1970s, focused on keeping inflation rates low,
wages for the bottom 70 percent even if that meant high unemployment.
of earners have been essentially A large pool of unemployed workers
stagnant, and between 2009 and means companies are under less
2013, real wages fell for the entire pressure to offer good wages or
bottom 90 percent of the wage benefits in order to attract workers.
distribution." Second, while the Great Since the Great Recession, austerity
Recession made things worse, the measures at all levels of government
problem goes back 35 years. And have made this problem worse. EPI
says excessive unemployment "has
been a key cause of wage inequality,
since research shows that high rates of
unemployment dampen wage growth
more for workers at the bottom of the
wage ladder than at the middle, and
more at the middle than at the top."
2. Declining union density:
As extreme pro-business interests
have pushed policies that lower
union membership, the wages of
low- and middle-wage workers have
stagnated. Higher unionization leads
to higher wages, and the decrease in
unionization has led to the opposite
effect. The decline in the density
cSee FIVE Page 17
January 23, 2015
bFIVE From Page 16
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lowering of the inflation-adjusted
value of the federal minimum wage,
the decrease in overtime eligibility
for workers, increasing wage theft
(particularly affecting immigrant
workers), misclassification of workers
as independent contractors, and
declining budgets and staff for
government agencies that enforce
labor standards.
of workers covered by collective
bargaining agreements not only has
weakened the ability of unionized
workers to fight for their own wages
and benefits, but also their ability to
set higher standards for nonunion
workers. EPI notes: "The decline of
unions can explain about a third of
the entire growth of wage inequality
among men and around a fifth of the 4. Deregulation of the finance
growth among women from 1973 to industry and the unleashing of
2007."
CEOs: The deregulation of finance
has contributed to lower wages in
3. Changes in labor market several ways, including the shifting of
policies and business practices: compensation toward the upper end
EPI argues: "A range of changes in of the spectrum, the use of the financial
what we call labor market policies sector’s political power to favor low
and business practices have inflation over low unemployment as a
weakened wage growth in recent policy goal, and the deregulation of
decades." Among the numerous international capital flows, which has
changes they describe include: the kept policy makers from addressing
Page 17
imbalances, such as the U.S. trade
deficit. EPI adds: "Falling top tax
rates, preferential tax treatment of
stock options and bonuses, failures
in corporate governance, and the
deregulation of finance all combined
to increase the incentive and the
ability of well-placed economic
actors to claim larger incomes over
the past generation."
5.
Globalization
policies:
Decades spent in pursuit of
policies that prioritized corporate
interests over worker interests led
to lowering of wages for middleand lower-income workers in the
United States. EPI concludes:
"International trade has been a clear
factor suppressing wages in the
middle of the wage structure while
providing a mild boost to the top,
particularly since 1995."

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bFIRST From Page 1
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– Atlanta, Columbus, Minneapolis,
Philadelphia, San Diego, St. Louis
“Families don’t need to hear more and Washington, D.C. In addition to
about income inequality,” he said; seeking wage increases for all who
“They need more income.”
labor, these coalitions will pursue
associated issues such as fighting for
The meeting attended by 350 union paid sick leave and equal pay for
representatives, community group equal work.
officials, economic experts and
religious leaders was the first of many At the same time, the AFL-CIO and
that will be conducted across the allies will push for federal legislation
Vol. 8, Issue 1
the group.
Another speaker, Lakia Wilson, said
that workers can do everything right,
work hard, follow all the rules and still
lose out in this economy. The Detroit
native earned a bachelor’s degree
in education and a master’s in
counseling. While serving as a school
counselor, she took a second job as
an adjunct professor at a community
college to make enough money to
qualify for a home mortgage.
But then, in a cutback at the
college, she was laid off. She
lost the extra income, and the
bank began foreclosure. It was,
she said, a horrible, humiliating
experience. She cashed out her
retirement to save her home.
Now her credit and retirement
are shot. This happened to her,
and to so many others, she said,
even though they “did everything
necessary to get a good job and
get the American dream.”
country by the AFL-CIO to spotlight
the pain and problems that wage
stagnation causes. The AFL-CIO will
begin these meetings in the first four
presidential primary states – Iowa,
New Hampshire, Nevada and North
Carolina.
The idea is to ensure that candidates,
Republican and Democrat, can’t
squirm out of dealing with the issue.
And Trumka said labor won’t tolerate
sappy expressions of sympathy. The
federation will demand concrete
plans for resolution.
Also last week, the AFL-CIO launched
Raising Wages campaigns with
community partners in seven cities
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren
talked to summit attendees about
why the economy does not work
to seriously punish employers who for people like Wilson and Harris.
illegally retaliate against workers and Though this economy is splendid for
to provide real remedies for workers those who own lots of stock, it’s not
unjustly treated.
for the vast majority of workers who
get their income from wages.
At the summit, workers told their
stories alongside experts. Among Sen. Warren pointed out that the
them was Colby Harris, who suffered economy didn’t always work this way.
illegal retaliation. A member of OUR From the 1930s to the 1970s, she said,
Walmart, he was fired last year after workers got raises. Ninety percent of
participating in strikes for better workers received 70 percent of the
conditions.
income growth resulting from rising
productivity. The 10 percent at the
“They are trying to silence people top took 30 percent.
for saying we need better wages
and benefits. The average Walmart Since 1980, however, that stopped.
worker makes less than $23,000 Ninety percent of workers got none
a year. These companies have no
cSee SUMMIT Page 19
respect for their workers,” Harris told
January 23, 2015
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which means that there will be little
time to read the agreement to find
who will be affected by the deal, out what's even in it.
most notably working families,
not represented in the negotiations. 6. Fast Track would limit the ability
(While some labor unions do get of anyone to fix the agreement to
to “advise” the president on trade make it better. The vote will be
policy, business advisers outnumber all or nothing with no chance to
labor advisers by about 15 to 1. And add amendments.
Meanwhile,
we do not get to participate in the supporters will try to round up votes
negotiations or see the negotiating by predicting dire consequences if
texts.)
the deal doesn't pass.
bTRADE From Page 15
5. If Fast Track is approved, 7. Fast Track will also prevent
Congress must vote on the TPP senators who oppose a trade deal to
within 90 days of the date the filibuster it.
president submits it to Congress,
bSUMMIT From Page 18
Accomplishing that, clearly, is a
David vs. Goliath challenge. David
of the gains from income growth. The won that contest, and workers can as
top 10 percent took 100 percent. The well – with concerted action. Papa
average family is working harder but John’s worker Shantel Walker told the
still struggling to survive with stagnant summit such a story – one of victory
wages and growing costs.
against a giant with collective action.
“Many feel the game is rigged
against them, and they are right. The
game is rigged against them,” Sen.
Warren said.
The rigging was adoption of Ronald
Reagan’s
voodoo
trickle-down
strategy. That economic plot puts
massive corporations, Wall Street
and the 1 percent first. Politicians
bowed down to them, legislated
for them, deregulated for them. In
return, the wealthy were supposed to
chuck a few measly crumbs down to
workers.
They did not. Workers got nothing.
Despite that, workers still get last
consideration. That, Sen. Warren
said, must be reversed.
Page 19
8. But the most important thing you
should know about trade in 2015 is
that the story isn’t written yet. The
battle for jobs is not over, and you
can make a difference. Most of the
mainstream media isn’t reporting
much (if anything) on the TPP,
TTIP, TISA or Fast Track. And they
certainly aren’t highlighting the
risks. So you have to speak up. Be
the voice of the news for the people
who don’t know the risks. Call your
member of Congress and sign the
petition here to stop Fast Track in
its tracks.

wealth we create.”
For that to occur, lawmakers must
serve the vast majority first. They must
stop functioning as handmaidens to
the rich in an economic scheme that
has failed the 99 percent from the
very day the 1 percent got Ronald
She discovered that a teenager at Reagan to buy it.
the New York franchise where she
worked was putting in time that was The AFL-CIO and its allies intend to
not clocked. The restaurant was help lawmakers see that they must
stealing wages.
prioritize the needs of America’s
workers.

Walker helped organize a protest
at the restaurant. Between 80 and
100 people rallied for justice for the
young worker. And they
won. The restaurant paid
the teen. “Now is the time
to stop the poverty wages
in America,” Walker said;
“Raise the wage!”
Trumka said the AFL-CIO and
its allies will demand that of
lawmakers. He said they
would insist that legislators
“build an America where
we, the people, share in the
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